Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for Regional Growth

Rather than marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is progressively considered as a consolidation year, in which diversification-led growth becomes more deeply embedded in the region's economic design, lowering reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Forecasts from significant organizations broadly assemble on a more powerful GCC growth profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by durable domestic demand, continued non-oil growth, and (to differing degrees) a firmer hydrocarbon contribution.

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3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments expand investment in services, facilities, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures aimed at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil earnings are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.

Oxford Economics anticipates Brent crude rates to fall listed below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, limiting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. Oil supply is forecast to rise again in the 2nd half of the year, with a full unwinding of remaining production caps most likely by mid-2027.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Macroeconomic conditions across the GCC stay broadly supportive of growth. Inflation is expected to remain low, with the IMF forecasting typical inflation of 2 percent throughout the region in 2026. Stable prices are assisting maintain real household incomes and underpin consumer spending, which Oxford Economics expects to grow by approximately 3.5 percent over 20262027.